Evil Eye

Today, as I was walking across Lytton Square in Mill Valley, I suddenly discovered that a rock on the ground gave me the Evil Eye. Fortunately I always carry a little Hamsa charm in my wallet, and am thus safe from any Evil Eye attacks. Attached is a picture of the rock, and below a rendition of my lucky charm. Good thing I'm not superstitious!

 

 

The Hamsa, a charm made to ward off the evil eye.

 

Kelso

Every so often you must suffer through portraits of my granddaughters. So here's Kelso, who will turn twenty-one on New Year's Eve. For a picture of eleven-year-old Danika you will have to wait until next spring.

 

Bernese Mountain Dog

Some dogs seem to comprehend what is going on. Just look at the eyes of this one. A Bernese (as in Bern, Switzerland) Mountain Dog that I met a few days ago in Fairfax. His name is Regis.

 

The Holidays Are Just Around The Corner

The Holidays are just around the corner and Santa (yes, there really is a Santa) is driving a horse and buggy up Bolinas Road in Fairfax. Which brings up the question of why is there no Fairfax Road in Bolinas? Is the town too small?

 

Lighted Boat

Last Saturday I was taking pictures of the Sausalito Lighted Boats Parade from the deck of the Sausalito Yacht Club. Here's my favorite.

 

WHAT IS IT?

 

The sunset tonight was sensational and, once again, my kitchen window provided the perfect spot from which to take the picture. If that sentence sounds a little stilted, it is so for fear of arousing Winston Churchill's (may he rest in peace) ire. And I quote ~ Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.

 

Gingko

I believe these are branches and leaves on a Gingko Tree. San Anselmo, this morning. I was reminded of Japanese paintings. 

 

RED

"Here's looking at you kid"

Quite often, when I try to come up with the title for one of my pictures, something pops into my mind from I don't know where. Sometimes the quote is appropriate, but frequently it is not. Today is borderline!

 

The words "Here's looking at you kid" were spoken by Rick (Humphrey Bogart) to Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) in the 1942 Academy Award winner CASABLANCA. It also happens to be one of only three quotes I remember in my useless brain!

 

The Emperor's New Clothes

I just love INADVERTENT ART! Sometimes it is every bit as good as that created by some of our most admired artists. Or would it be more correct to say that some of our most admired artists create masterpieces that are every bit as good as inadvertent art? I'm not trying to knock artists, I'm just trying to make a point which many art connoisseurs would be loathe to admit.

 

Lake Lagunitas Runoff

The runoff from Lake Lagunitas occurs only during the winter months. But always a beautiful sight.

 

Beard Lichen

This tree greets you as you start out on the Bear Valley Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore. Hanging from its branches is Beard Lichen, also known as Old Man's Beard, also known as Usnea. At least that's my best guess. What it is not is Spanish Moss. I've done my research but am not completely satisfied with what I concluded. Whatever it is, is quite impressive! And may not be healthy for the host tree.

 

My computer continues to crash, just running on a song and a prayer. Soon I will have to take some drastic action, I just hate the thought of being without the computer for any length of time. We have become so dependent.

 

Amazing Artwork!

Don't worry, I am not abandoning photography! But while rummaging through some of my old chachkas and pictures, I ran across this one, which I had given up for lost. I was really pleased to discover it. I think it's a piece of incredible artwork and I'm very fond of it. I think it may have been done by a Turkish artist. And perhaps the original was painted on ivory, since there is a bit of a pattern on the surface.

 

Lake Lagunitas

The most rewarding short walk in our area is around Lake Lagunitas. Turtles, Lizards, Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, Woodpeckers, a variety of ducks, mushrooms and, of course, the beautiful trees and the lake itself. If I could, I would wax poetic!

 

Surprise!

I bet you didn't expect this!

 

The bearded man sitting in the cart is my paternal grandfather. I don't know who the others are. The picture, on a postcard, was taken in Bad Ischl, a popular Austrian spa, in July 1912. I have a sneaking hunch that it was all posed in a studio. Painted background, stuffed cow, the works!

 

Hawk

Something about this scene yesterday at the Ponds caught my eye. Perhaps it was the way the hawk stood out against the background. I only discovered the flock of blackbirds when I enlarged the picture on the monitor. I wonder whether they had cause for alarm?

 

Please forgive me. The picture is not as sharp as it ought to be, but I saw the hawk too late, whipped the camera around, and clicked. Bad boy!